How do you treat the sheath of your bushcrafting blade?

D

DocGP

Joined
Feb 22, 2009
Messages
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Just got 2 knives in; A BRKT Bravo 1 SS in Osage Orange;

B_1_SS_Osage_Orange.jpg


And, a BRKT Bravo 1 in Spalted Maple;

B-1%20Splt%20Mpl%20KSF%201.jpg


Please forgive me, as I don't know how much use the second one will see. I didn't mean to buy it, I really didn't. It was just too purty :D

Anyhow, my question is, how do you treat a new leather sheath? I have always just used them with nothing done to them. However, would oil of some kind be a good idea? Saddle soap? What do you do? Primarily looking at bushcraft type uses.

Any input appreciated.

Doc (and yes, I am a knife-a-holic)
 
a soak in liquid parrafin would harden them a little bit, but I actually dont see it necisary to do anything to those sheaths (unless you are just wanting to).
 
Don't know jack about leather, so I don't have an answer. Just wanted to chime in and say that spalted maple is freakin' nice. :eek::thumbup:
 
I treat it the same as I do my saddles, belts, boots, and anything else that goes outside. Kali Leather Life. Developed by a chemist in Lousiana (yes, they apparently have chemistry there) and it has the same pH as leather. This keeps it from darkening/damaging leather. Also, it won't eat laces.
 
Here is a very easy and cheap way to do your sheath.

Wet it - use your thumbs to form the sheath to the knife (wrap the knife in painters tape first to prevent rusting).

Allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes and form the leather again with your thumbs (keep your nails away from the leather).

Pull the knife out and let the leather dry completely. When dry - simply use neutral Kiwi shoe polish. THIN coats (perhaps two or three) and it will seal the sheath no issues - buff to shine.

Viola.


TF
 
SouthernCross said:
Kiwi Boot polish or Dubbin


Kind regards
Mick
Click to expand...

The thing with Kiwi boot polish is that it contains petroleum which is not ideal for leather. I use Kiwi on my Bingo suit shoes but not my hiking shoes, and never anything other than shoes that need to shine.

These leather sheaths will not need maintenance for a long time and you don't really NEED to do anything. But if you wanna add say about 50 years of lasting time to them them rub in expensive leather cream or mink oil with bare hands.

The odor from the cream should be natural but not something you would want as aftershave and not gasoline or chemical bad.

I would absolutely do it because I love leather and it helps with scratches and the overall look of the leather.
 
I have used Obenauf's, Aussie (for the famous ones) and several not so well known leather treatments. In the end, I prefer good old snow seal.

It just seems to work, and hangs around for a long, long time.

My 2 cents :D

B
 
Sharpshooter, the company that makes those Bravo-1 sheaths says you really don't need to do anything to them.

But, if you wanted to, he recommends Obenauf's. It makes them darker though(which I prefer), just so you know.:)

Here's a Bravo-1 sheath that is like the one you received with your bravo-1's, that I treated with Obenauf's.

3556655693_8a44f0fec5.jpg
 
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I wet-form my sheaths to fit the knife, then give them (once they have dried) a few generous coats of Neatsfoot oil. IT hardens them up, darkens the leather just a bit, and still looks natural. You can purchase a small bottle of Neatsfoot oil from most of the knifemaking supply sites.

GREAT looking BRKT knives, by the way!

All the best,

- Mike
 
I use Sno Seal. Heat it up in the toaster oven and rub it in the leather with a cloth.
 
I honestly think all of these suggestions will work.

Neats foot can be found in HUGE amounts at a tack shop for pretty darned cheap. I got 100% neats foot oil for 8 dollars a quart.

TF
 
I use to use Montana Pitch Blend on my leather products.... now I make my own.

Rick
 
Pitch, mink oil, and what other types of stuff do you put in there.


Please tell me you keep out any 'special sauce'...... please...



TF
 
DocGP- are the pics yours-- or off of BRKT's or dealer website? The knives are certainly nice...but so are those pics!
 
Any type of wax finish will waterproof and protect your leather. Sno-seal and Montana pitch blend are excellent choices.

Just rub in on, and use a hair dryer to melt it in, add more coats until it doesn't take anymore and the color is even.
 
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